The Four Way Test is a way of life which Rotarians strive to live by. The words were penned by Herbert J. Taylor in 1933 when he became President of Club Aluminum which was on the verge of bankruptcy He thought carefully on how to resurrect the company, and concluded it must start with his own behavior and the behavior of the employees.
At his desk, deep in thought, he wrote down the 24 words he called The Four Way Test. He first challenged himself, then his employees, and his family to live by the 24 words: “Of The Things We Think, Say, And Do…”
- Is it the TRUTH?
- Is it FAIR to all concerned?
- Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?
- Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?
Thanks to his leadership and high standards of excellence, Club Aluminum became a very successful company, paying out large dividends to stockholders. 1954 Mr. Taylor became President of Rotary International and gave the copyright to R.I. Rotarians have been reciting The Four Way Test ever since, as a standard of excellence.
In the words of Herbert J. Taylor, “Anyone who checks his thoughts, his words, and deeds against The Four Way Test…is almost certain to do the right thing. You thus become a better father, a better friend and a better citizen”. Using these principles, along with “Service Above Self”, men and women Rotarians around the world have exemplified ways to make everyone’s lives better.
.png)
